10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 11
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,950 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #138

Feb 212022

328

  • miles
Vehicle started smelling like smoke and making loud screeching noise in February. Took car to BMW certified shop to be fixed, put out thousands of dollars to have valve replaced, check engine light will still not turn off. In April I received a letter from BMW about the a recall on the PVC Valve. It is now July and they just diagnosed a remedy. Called around to every local dealership, they cannot fix it due to lack of parts. It has been over 5 months without having a car. BMW North America is giving me the run around and dealerships keep referring me to call BMW North America. Also have told me that they might not refund me for this since the problem wasn-??t fixed even though BMW is at fault.

- Abington, PA, USA

problem #137

Mar 022022

328

  • miles
Received letter in March 2022 about an "Important Safety Recall" for Recall Campaign No. 22V-119: PCV Valve Heater. Letter stated that "Remedy is Unavailable" and "is currently being developed". Manufacturer has not followed up to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, and per the instructions in the letter, I am filing a complaint with NHTSA.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #136

Mar 022022

328

  • miles
There was a recall on my vehicle, and I have been without a vehicle since. My vehicle smokes when i try to drive it so, i have been without a vehicle and BMW sent out a notice of this back on March 2, 2022 and they still do not have a resolution. something needs to be done as i am without a vehicle.

- West Allis, WI, USA

problem #135

Apr 142022

328

  • miles
My car was brought in to the BMW dealership for knocking noises, a fire smell, and shaking. I was told my car could not be repaired due to engine failure.l was informed that replacing the engine would cost me more than the vehicle is worth. He recommended l sell it for parts. Currently there are no lights/ indicators present on my dash board indicating that something is even wrong. l did not receive any warnings before the shaking and /or during the knocking. On the other hand; I have made multiple complaints to my mechanic about smelling fire or burnt rubber for the past six months and he thought it was coming from the radiator and he replaced it.. The smell did not improve.. he was still in the process of guessing what it could be. I guess we know now. The safety of my family has been at risk for months, knowing that burnt rubber smell could have evolved into something major at anytime. My life was in danger when the car began shaking while driving on the highway on my way to work. The car has been parked for a week now due to me not knowing what to do with a dead 10 years young vehicle. I have not called the police and my insurance company states they don-??t cover mechanical issues. My car has only been viewed by a dealership and my mechanic shop. To make my situation worse, I am currently working overseas in Germany on orders and l don-??t know what to do with this car. I don-??t live a lifestyle where I can afford to purchase a vehicle with the intentions of it lasting 10 years or less. My car is definitely available for inspection upon request.. if someone could advise me on whom to contact, that would be great. The set back this has caused me is unrealistic. If there is anything I can do as a costumer please let me know.l am a healthcare worker.l am very reliant upon my vehicle. I need my car.

- Waynesville, MO, USA

problem #134

Jan 202022

328

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started smoking from the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the smoke extinguished by itself. The contact drove the vehicle home and called the dealer. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer but the vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacture was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #133

Apr 072022

328

  • miles
BMW has a recall on this vehicle 328xi about the PCV valve heater and had sent notice of the need to replace and it has been over 2 years and they have not found a remedy for the fix. The BMW warranty group confirmed a date on March 7, 2022 for the repair. Upon going to the herb cambers in brookline, MA. They told me they did not have a remedy to fix the issue and will contact when they have a fix. On April 2022 they sent a letter stating the PCV valve heater needs to be fixed under (17V-673 / 19V-273) and the remedy is unavailable and a new remedy needs to be performed. Issue is that if they do not fix the valve heater the engine could heat up and could cause a fire. They say a remedy is being worked on, but BMW should be responsible if a fire does occur.

- Burlington, MA, USA

problem #132

Mar 272022

328 6-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2011 BMW 328i Sedan, the car has only 50,000 miles on it. No accidents. The VIN number is [XXX] I've been hearing the increased engine noise on my vehicle, then the car engine has stalled while it's stopping in the intersection a couple of days ago. The engine has failed to start after that. I've called my mechanic he removed the engine's valve cover, he found 4 bolts attached to the VANOS adjusting unit have broken off. I checked online it looks like there's a safety recall on these bolts (see the attachment). I visited the BMW service center in San Francisco, they claimed they couldn't find any related safety recall on these bolts and refused to fix the issue. I'm glad that there's no crash or injury during the engine stalled event. These VANOS bolts are clearly not safe. I saw the manufacturer recall these bolts awhile ago. Recall Campaign 14V-176: VANOS Assembly Bolts - Engine Failure 2011 328i Wonder if the recall applies to my vehicle? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #131

Jan 052022

328

  • miles
The vehicle keeps stalling on the highways and on the streets. We have taken the car in and have towed the car in to the bmw dealership costing us hundreds of dollars on what they think the problem is and it does not fix the issue. They perform a diagnosis and can-??t find an issue but the car keeps stalling. The car first starting stalling last year around February.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #130

Dec 292021

328

  • miles
While I was driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle shut off. Then a check engine light came on. When a code reader was placed on the vehicle a code p0335 for the crankshaft position sensor. Thankfully I was able to coast the car safely to the shoulder of the roadway. Had I been on an interstate highway who knows what the outcome would have been.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #129

Dec 042021

328

  • miles
Engine Compartment Suddenly Caught Fire and Came into the Vehicle Cabin of my 2011 328i E90 BMW on 12/04/2021 at 10:04 AM PST in the city of Garden Grove, CA. Emergency first responder Captian Rick King of the Garden Grove Fire Department conducted an initial investigation of the cause of the fire due to a defective fuel pump. BMW North America LLC should be held accountable for this accident as it could have cause serious injury or death.

- Walnut, CA, USA

problem #128

Nov 232021

328

  • miles
Vehicle stalled with no power while driving highway speed. Engine is locked up and needs to be replaced

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #127

Sep 202021

328

  • miles
The 4 vanos bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit broke and fell into my oil pan. This has caused oil to leak onto and break the eccentric shaft sensor. This has caused my vehicles engine to loose power. Had this occurred at a faster speed, it could have harmed myself and others on the road. My engines light came on just a few miles before my cars engine had weakened power. I pulled off the road to safety. I had my bmw towed and it is currently at the dealership with an estimated quote of $4963.91 to fix. I-??ve had my bmw for less than two years. It-??s had one previous owner and no accidents. It only has 64,984 miles. According to the U.S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the average highway miles driven per year in 2019 were 14,263. If this is accurate, my vehicle would have roughly 142,000 miles for a 10 year old bmw. My car has less than half of this.

- Spokane , WA, USA

problem #126

Jul 012021

328

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated that after driving, the vehicle failed to restart without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed that the camshaft housing bolts had sheared off. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repairs were not covered under the warranty. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Joensboro, GA, USA

problem #125

Jul 082021

328 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, he heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine before the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway and restarted the vehicle and continued driving his residence. The contact stated upon checking the engine, he noticed that the vanos bolts had fractured and were missing from the engine. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Mt Prospect, IL, USA

problem #124

Jun 182021

328

  • miles
It seems that the Bolts holding the Vanos unit intact have come loose or sheared and cause a loud high pitch squealing along with a higher volume in oil loss and this has also cause a seal of some sort or go bad and excess oil burning. Also, the car has a loud tick in the engine now. My vin number is not accepted u der the recall list but my cars make model and year for the credentials along with the problems that the engine continues to have. I would Appreciate it if the company adds this car and it-??s vin to the list of recall so i can Have it properly fixed

- Emporium, PA, USA

problem #123

Feb 152021

328

  • 112,000 miles
My vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms and is reporting the same trouble codes related to recall number: 17V683000. However, my vehicle is not included in this recall. I would appreciate it if this matter could be investigated and my vehicles VIN included in this recall.

- River Falls, WI, USA

problem #122

Apr 182021

328

  • 115,000 miles
Timing chain failure, engine knocking, vanos bolt failure

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #121

Feb 012021

328

  • 101,000 miles
My issue is exactly as described in recall campaign 14V-176, also listed as si B11 07 14. It is a faulty vanos unit with failing bolts. My car's model and year are listed in both of these documents, however my specific VIN is not listed as part of the recall. My car is currently damaged due to the vanos bolts shearing off completely and falling into the oil pan, as described exactly in the above recall notices. This is the diagnosis from BMW of seattle. It is very clear that my car suffers the same faulty part as listed and should be part of the recall. I believe it is in error that it is not. As it stands, BMW cannot help me and are forcing me to pay out of pocket. The service technician tells me that my VIN should be included in the recall and does not understand why it isn't, but because it isn't they will not fix the issue under the recall. This is a very serious issue. Please correct the documentation to include my vehicle, which matches the listed vehicles in the vanos recall paperwork. Thank you.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #120

Jan 282021

328

  • 110,000 miles
Bolts holding the vanos unit housing broke and damaged my car engine. This should have been addressed in the us market as they have done in chinese market back in the 2014. Engine is making lout noise and damaged with couple bolts snapped inside. The car is not working and is with BMW gallery in rockland, MA. The car has only 11,0000 miles on it, which shouldn't have engine problem like that. Https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2014/04/11/BMW-broadens-engine-bolt-recall-nearly-half-million-cars-worldwide/

- Norwell, MA, USA

problem #119

Dec 242020

328

  • 2 miles
Cylinder head bolt detachment from factory production causing massive oil leak on engine block. My vehicle rapidly lost 1 quart of oil in 2.1 miles of driving. When I took it to a certified BMW service center, they found that the cylinder head bolt was complete severed from the bolt stem causing oil to spray out of the engine. This detachment caused oil to spray out of the engine, rapidly depleting oil from the vehicle. This oil sprayed rapidly onto the alternator, belt and other components in the engine bay. The certified BMW mechanic stated that this issue is seen frequently with BMW from the factory production methods and torque specs in factory production process. The cylinder head bolt becomes severed from the bolt stem/threaded portion of the bolt (see pictures included). According to certified BMW mechanic, this bolt would only be manipulated during factory production. I was able to catch the problem before the oil drained completed out of my vehicle or before the engine caught fire. There is significant damage to the engine bay because of oil spraying. I am concerned that a major engine component on my vehicle failed. This failure poses a significant safety and quality issue. This is a part integrity/quality issue that needs to be addressed by BMW immediately.

- Mentor, OH, USA

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